Was having some trouble with the magazine release on my 1911. Just got a new Wheeler 78 piece gunsmithing screwdriver bit set and thought id do some "Gunsmithing" on it. Field stripped it, cleaned the bore, and lubed rails and whatnot. Then I proceeded to take the magazine assembly apart because id been having trouble with it on a few trips to the range. (keep in mind ive never taken out a magazine release assembly before) Once I found the correct bit to match the screw head perfectly I Unscrewed (after I figured out you had to press the mag release button in slightly) the magazine release assembly and it all came out in one piece. After examining the part I took the Screw and spring apart from the assembly cleaned and inspected each piece closely. after finding no apparent problems I oiled and reassembled the assembly and re-installed it. After putting the hand grips back on I noticed that part of the assembly was rubbing on the Mag assembly where it comes out slightly on the right side on the grips. I took the Long and short shank Wheeler screwdrivers and rapped one on the other to compress the wooden grip in slightly. Works like a charm!
Lesson learned: Took a small step towards being a gunsmith and increased my knowledge.
Had I not bought the proper screwdriver bits, I would have not tried to take on the project.
Thank you Wheeler Engineering and Steve Felgenhauer!
I hope this helps any new gunsmiths along their journey!
P.S. Havent purchased the Birchwood Casey touch up pen yet but will post pictures in the next day or two.
Keep your head held high and your mind focused for we will soon be gunsmiths our ranks are few but proud.